The 2000 Pinot Noir Hirsch Vineyard reveals a saturated ruby/purple color. It comes across as an earthy, meaty, rustic-styled Pinot with considerable generosity as well as some tough edges to resolve. Although it does not possess the finesse of the Kistler Vineyard, it offers plenty of character in a more uncivilized style, loads of briery, berry fruit, an underlying, earthy, forest floor character, and moderately high tannin in the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2012. Steve Kistler and his sidekick, Mark Bixler, feel that the key to making top quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in 2000 (an extremely cold year with higher acids) was patience. Some years the flavors come early, and in other years they are much later. (Release date 3/03) Tel. (707) 823-5603; fax (707) 823-6709

There are 250 cases of the 1999 Pinot Noir Hirsch Vineyard. It possesses a dense ruby/purple color as well as a knockout nose of blackberries infused with smoke, mineral, earth, and floral scents. As the wine sits in the glass, add cherries and pepper to the complex concoction of aromas and flavors. The wine is full-bodied as well as spectacularly concentrated, yet exhibits a youthful vibrancy and good underlying acidity. Look for the 1999 Hirsch Vineyard to age well for at least a decade. (Not yet released) Tel. (707) 823-5603; fax (707) 823-6709

There are 250 cases of the 1999 Pinot Noir Hirsch Vineyard. It possesses a dense ruby/purple color as well as a knockout nose of blackberries infused with smoke, mineral, earth, and floral scents. As the wine sits in the glass, add cherries and pepper to the complex concoction of aromas and flavors. The wine is full-bodied as well as spectacularly concentrated, yet exhibits a youthful vibrancy and good underlying acidity. Look for the 1999 Hirsch Vineyard to age well for at least a decade. (Not yet released)Tel. (707) 823-5603; fax (707) 823-6709